Bookshelf

"What Makes Olga Run? The Mystery of the 90-Something Track Star and What She Can Tell Us About Living Longer, Happier Lives," Bruce Grierson (Henry Holt, 241 pages, Jan. 14, $25)

Whatever makes Olga run is something I want to learn. Because although we've come to believe that certain things are impossible in old, old age, Olga Kotelko shows those beliefs may be self-limiting. Olga is not typical; she holds more than 23 world records in track and field, 17 of which are in her age 90 to 95 category. So, yes, she's unusual, and that's why she's being studied by scientists to attempt to determine what lets Olga run? What we do know — without DNA testing — is that many more of us could do much more and for many more years. If you need some motivation to reach your potential, this might be the story for you.